In a powerful display of unity, hundreds of Hollywood stars—including notable names like Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, and Cynthia Erivo—have urged the White House to safeguard the rights of film, television, and music against the encroaching influence of technology giants and artificial intelligence (AI). On March 19, 2025, they sent an open letter, signed by around 400 actors, directors, and artists, expressing their strong concerns about the impact of AI on the creative industries.
The letter directly addresses the actions of major technology companies like Google and OpenAI, which have pushed for the ability to train AI models using an extensive range of copyrighted works. The Hollywood community argues that "weakening copyright protections and allowing these companies to exploit creative industries would threaten the U.S. economy.”
The significance of this plea cannot be overstated. The U.S. entertainment industry, a powerhouse generating 230 billion dollars in annual wages, provides more than 2.3 million jobs. This sector does not just entertain; it represents a pillar of the U.S. economy and a vehicle for American cultural influence around the globe.
These concerns are rooted in a broader context. Earlier this year, in January 2025, former President Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating what he termed "unnecessary government control" over AI, while simultaneously promoting the goal of establishing the U.S. as a global leader in AI technology. This move has been met with backlash from within the entertainment industry, wherein the ongoing evolution of AI poses existential questions about the future of creative jobs.
Hollywood’s recent initiative is a response to the fear that AI could exacerbate existing challenges within the industry. In 2023, the entertainment sector experienced costly strikes that centered around the implications of AI, leading to agreements that mandated strict protections against AI misuse. These agreements stipulated that consent and compensation would be required if AI models were to train on scripts or create characters based on the likeness of actors.
Hollywood’s new letter, sent to the Science and Technology Policy department of the White House just last week on March 12, underscores a growing urgency. The fear is that companies like Google and OpenAI could gain an unfair advantage over American creators, particularly with competitors from countries like China rapidly advancing in AI technology. OpenAI has warned that if Chinese developers have unrestricted access to information, while American companies do not, “the race for AI is over.”
This is not just a battle for copyright protections; it is a broader struggle for the future of creative work in America. The signed letter reflects sentiments echoed throughout the entertainment community, emphasizing that "this issue goes beyond the entertainment industry." The right to train AI on protected content will have implications for all knowledge industries across the United States.
As the landscape of technology continues to evolve, Hollywood voices hope that the administration will take their concerns seriously. They understand that the potential for AI is vast; yet they also recognize the potential downsides it poses, particularly the threat to jobs and the integrity of the content produced.
Echoing the sentiments shared in the letter, Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett stated, “Our industry has always sought to innovate and embrace new technologies, but it is critical we do so in a way that protects the very foundation of our creative rights.”
As the dialogue continues, the stakes remain high. The upcoming months will likely reveal how the White House responds to these urges and whether new policies will emerge to strike a balance between technological advancement and the protection of creative rights. This ongoing saga in Hollywood illustrates the complex intersection of culture, technology, and economics—where the push for innovation must be tempered with consideration for the livelihoods and creative freedoms of individuals who shape the entertainment landscape.
